-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Brandt Snedeker stepped up his bid to win the FedEx Cup playoffs with a superb six-under 64 at East Lakes Saturday to share the third round lead with England 's Justin Rose at the Tour Championship .

Ryder Cup wildcard pick Snedeker was one of five players , standings leader Rory McIlroy , Tiger Woods , Phil Mickelson and Nick Watney the others , who came to Atlanta knowing that the $ 10 million bonus payout was theirs with victory come Sunday .

World No. 1 McIlroy carded a battling 68 to share fourth place on five-under with halfway leader Jim Furyk and Masters champion Bubba Watson .

The Northern Irishman made a crucial par saving putt on the 18th to stay in touch with the leaders going into the last day .

`` I wanted to make it because I did n't want to give a shot away right at the end , '' he told Sky Sports .

`` It 's one of those courses where I do n't think anyone is really going that low . I might need one and hopefully I have saved it for the last day . ''

Ryan Moore was alone in third on six-under , while Woods kept his chances of overall glory alive with a 67 to trail by four shots .

Last year 's U.S. money list winner Luke Donald of England was a further shot behind after holing his second shot to the 14th for a spectacular eagle two .

Furyk , who won the FedEx Cup two years ago , looked set to share the lead with Snedeker and the consistent Rose , but ran up a triple bogey on the 18th after finding the water .

Snedeker , who has fought back after a poor opening round , was delighted with his efforts .

He told the official PGA Tour website : `` My first goal for this week is achieved , and that is to have a chance going into Sunday . ''

Rose , who has virtually no hope of claiming the top prize , is concentrating on capping his season with the Tour Championship title .

`` It 's not an easy golf course . Things can happen out there . But for me , it 's about one tournament .

`` I wish I would be in the situation that Brandt 's in . I would trade him , but obviously that 's the position I 'm in . ''

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Brandt Snedeker and Justin Rose share third round lead in Atlanta

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Snedeker in contention for $ 10 million FedEx Cup playoff title

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World No. 1 Rory McIlroy three off the pace in Tour Championship

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Tiger Woods four back at East Lakes